Chapter 37 Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Chapter 37
Kael’s POV
I heard it.
Every single sound.
The sound of Sabrina being tackled. Her body hitting the ground with a thud.
Her gasping for air. The sound of her desperation.
The muffled groans as a hand smothered her mouth, making her sound like a wounded animal.
The sickening crack of her bones being twisted.
Every sound was like a knife, stabbing into my heart over and over again.
Alec was roaring, not just in my head, but in the depths of my soul. He was trying to tear me apart. “Go back! Now! Save her!” His voice was thick with rage, despair, and pure hatred for me.
But I couldn't. I couldn't go back. I led the team north, intentionally making as much noise as possible. Heavy, messy footsteps. Gunshots fired into the air. Shouting. The sounds echoed through the dark woods.
Derek’s men took the bait. At least ten of them were hunting us. Using my echolocation, I launched quick strikes, dragging them out and wounding several of the bear mercenaries.
"Boss!" Marcus was beside me, his voice urgent. "Is she really going to be okay? Derek hates her. He’ll—"
"He won't," I cut him off. "She’ll be fine."
But even I didn't believe it. I knew Derek. I knew how much he hated her, and I knew his twisted sense of obsession.
I’d been planning this for three months, ever since I took Sabrina in. I knew then that she was the perfect bait. Derek’s ex-wife. A "weak" wolfless woman. He’d want her back, and I could use what he wanted to reel him in.
Last night, Sabrina came to my cabin in that thin nightgown. Her scent filled the entire room—daisies and rain. And her longing. Her body had trembled under my touch, so soft and warm. My hands had roamed over her skin, exploring her. Her moans, her tears… her trust.
I almost lost control. I almost forgot the plan. I almost took her right then and there.
But I didn't. Because before things went too far, I did one thing. I implanted a tracker in her neck. It was tiny, the size of a grain of rice, hidden right under her hairline. She’d never find it.
While I was kissing her—at the exact moment she closed her eyes—I used a specialized needle. It was fast and light. She probably thought I was just biting her.
I’d planned it all. Use her as a lure so Derek would capture her. Derek would definitely take her to see Dorian to brag about his prize or to make a deal. Either way, I’d find Dorian’s hideout.
I could kill two birds with one stone. Derek and Dorian. Two Alphas. One bloodbath. It was my only shot. With my current strength, I couldn't take either of them head-on. But if they were together, if they let their guard down, if I could launch a surprise attack… I’d have a chance.
A perfect plan. The only price was Sabrina’s trust, her safety, and the last shred of my humanity.
“She’s our mate!” Alec screamed in my head. “Ours! How could you hand her over to that animal? Do you have any idea what Derek will do to her?”
"I know," I said, my voice flat.
“Then why—”
"She’s not our mate," I snapped. "She never will be."
“Why?” Alec’s voice was full of agony. “Why would you say that?”
"Because I don’t deserve one," I said. "A man who sacrifices an innocent woman for revenge doesn't deserve a mate."
Alec went quiet for a few seconds. It felt like centuries. When his voice returned, it was cold. A kind of cold that actually scared me.
“You’ll regret this, Kael,” he said. “One day, you’ll be on your knees begging for her forgiveness. But by then, it’ll be too late.”
"I know," I replied.
If that day ever comes, I’ll give my life to atone for what I’ve done.
But I couldn't choose love over my path. I couldn't let go of the fire of revenge burning inside me.
Everything I had—my Alpha title, my future—was stolen by betrayal and lies. If a werewolf can't get revenge, if he can't find justice, then even if I ran to the ends of the earth with Sabrina, the obsession would haunt me until I died.
We kept retreating. Derek’s men were behind us like rabid dogs, refusing to let go. I intentionally left openings and slowed down, letting them think they could catch us, then I’d accelerate and pull away.
Three hours later, we finally lost them. We stopped at an abandoned farm to rest before heading back to Exile’s Rest.
Everyone collapsed on the ground, panting. Marcus leaned against a wall, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped through his fingers. Garrick was bandaging his leg. Elena sat with her head in her hands.
The way they looked at me had changed. It wasn't respect or trust anymore. It was doubt. Confusion. Even rage.
Mira walked up to me. Her face was a mask of nothingness. She stood there, silent, then suddenly slammed her fist into the wall next to me. Hard.
"Kael, my Rogue King, you better have a damn good reason for this," she said, her voice freezing.
I wiped a smear of blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at her. "I do."
"Then say it."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because... if I tell you, you’ll try to stop me."
Mira stared at me for a long time. Then she turned and walked away. But her gaze was sharp enough to kill.
Marcus walked over, ignoring the blood on his shoulder. "Boss," he said. "Do you have a plan? A real one?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Does it involve Sabrina?"
"Yes."
"Is she going to be okay?"
I stayed silent. I didn't know how to answer that. I couldn't say "yes" because that would be a lie. I couldn't say "no" because that would break them.
"I’ll do my best," I finally said.
Marcus looked at me, disappointment clear in his eyes. He didn't say anything else. He just turned and sat in a corner.
Garrick finished bandaging his wound and stood up. He was my brother-in-arms, the man I trusted most. I think he guessed my plan, but he looked worried sick.
"Do you have any idea what the people back at camp will think?" he asked. "They’ll think you abandoned her. They’ll think you sacrificed her just to save your own skin."
"I know."
"Do you even care? This will destroy your reputation. It’ll destroy your authority as the Rogue King."
"I care," I said. "I’m handling it."
Garrick exhaled sharply, looking at me. He sighed. "I hope you know what you’re doing."
I stood up, my face turning cold again. I looked around the room. I couldn't see their faces, but their breathing told me everything I needed to know about their morale.
"I will explain the plan later," I said with authority.
"I don't leave people behind. I am the Rogue King, and I am in control of this situation!"
I let some of my remaining Alpha aura flare as I spoke. Everyone flinched, looking back at me with a mix of awe and fear.
"I’m going to strike back, and I’m going to lead you to victory," I said firmly.
My declaration quieted the unrest. Mira and the others were my core team—they might be down, but they wouldn't flip on me.
But some people were different.
Leo. He was standing with the other foxes. He hadn't said a word or come near me.
They were whispering in their own language. My hearing is sharp, so I heard it all, even if I couldn't understand every word. I knew what they were doing—they were weighing their options.
Refugees who came to me for safety... could they handle this kind of pressure? I wasn't holding my breath.
I needed to test his loyalty. If he couldn't handle it—if he betrayed me—I’d kill him myself.